“When the ruling government was elected, it had to attend to urgent tasks and among those was to improve the healthcare of this country,” said Health MEC, Phumulo Masualle during the official launch of Settlers Hospital public private partnership (PPP) wing on Thursday. The private wing opened its doors to the public in August last year.
“When the ruling government was elected, it had to attend to urgent tasks and among those was to improve the healthcare of this country,” said Health MEC, Phumulo Masualle during the official launch of Settlers Hospital public private partnership (PPP) wing on Thursday. The private wing opened its doors to the public in August last year.
This is the third PPP hospital in the Cacadu region, with others located in Port Alfred and Humansdorp. It is owned by Nalithemba Hospitals and will be managed by Netcare for the next 15 years. The Eastern Cape Department of Health is also part of the partnership.
The wing has 32 beds, with a shared intensive care, x-ray and theatre unit. It also has its own maternity and ante-natal wards. It is one of the few hospitals in the Eastern Cape that has digital radiology equipment.
General manager of Netcare Settlers Private Hospital, Elliot Kula said, “The system is quite easy to use because we do not print out the film, we give the patient a disc to take to the doctor and the doctor puts it in a computer to view it.”
This system also enables the x-rays to be stored digitally. Because the hospital does not have a radiologist on site, the system makes it easier for the staff to send pictures to their specialists in other centres.
Masualle, who was visibly impressed with the new wing and the overall facility, said, “This hospital will reduce the traffic to the referral hospitals where patients have to wait for days before being attended to because of a shortage of beds.
As a result we think it will be better for specialists to come to this facility.” Also at the launch was the newly appointed superintendent general of the provincial Health Department, Siva Pillay.
Masualle said Pillay’s first assignment is to make sure that Grahamstown has a 24-hour facility or to work with the current clinics to ensure extended and flexible hours.
Chairperson of Netcare Group Jerry Vilakazi said, “The hospital will afford patients universal access to the best healthcare, as Netcare will provide the same service it does in Sandton, Cape Town and London.”
The hospital caters for all residents of Grahamstown, those with medical aid, those without medical aid and those who are disadvantaged.
Makana Municipality mayor Vumile Lwana said, “The extra wing means one more nurse, one more cleaner and one more doctor have been employed.
I also commend the business fraternity for coming on board and helping to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.”
